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Whining/Droning Noise from Triangle Tube Boiler

Kynes1000
Kynes1000 Member Posts: 5
edited January 30 in Radiant Heating
We have a persistent whining/droning noise coming from our 18-month old triangle tube boiler (we moved into the house 6 months ago so inherited it).  The whining noise occurs when the radiant floors or radiators call for heat.

The boiler powers 3x radiant floor zones (tekmar thermostats) and 2x radiators.  It also heats the indirect domestic hot water storage tanks.

The hot water tanks don’t seem to cause the noise.  However, if any of the radiant or radiator zones call for heat the noise starts.  It’s driving me crazy.  Noise can be clearly heard inside and even louder from the exterior exhaust pipe.  I am in Chicago and have had a few people out to look but no success.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!  

Mad Dog_2

Comments

  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,188
    Which model? Sounds like it could be a fan issue.
    Kynes1000
  • Derheatmeister
    Derheatmeister Member Posts: 1,431
    Only at low fire for the radiant?
    Did they do a combustion analysis ?
    Alan (California Radiant) ForbesKynes1000Mad Dog_2
  • Kynes1000
    Kynes1000 Member Posts: 5
    The boiler model is a Triangle Tube Instinct Solo Wall 110. Had the original installer out who said no fan issue he could see.

    Low fire - I am not sure the answer to this question as don't know my way around a boiler/radiant well enough... How would I figure that out?

    Combustion Analysis - They did NOT run a combustion analysis. Original boiler installer informed me they had run a combustion analysis at install. They could do it again. I had mentioned to him that the exterior exhaust smelled like gas more than I thought it should. He checked it out and it didn't smell strong to him but, again, mentioned they could run the combustion test.
    Mad Dog_2
  • Derheatmeister
    Derheatmeister Member Posts: 1,431
    Low fire is when boiler is modulating on the bottom end..
    I would start with a combustion test in low then high fire as per manufacturers instructions
    Adjustment should be done during this time..
    The before and after test values of this should be printed out and left on site..
    Kynes1000Mad Dog_2
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,119
    If a combustion analysis and proper adjustments toward the richer end of the manufacturer’s chart doesn’t fix it, then CSST used in the gas line is the likely culprit.

    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/164856/csst-the-cause-of-harmonic-fog-horn-noise#latest
    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
    Kynes1000DerheatmeisterMad Dog_2
  • Kynes1000
    Kynes1000 Member Posts: 5
    Thank you - that makes sense.  I will have them do a combustion analysis.

    Interestingly enough, it was near zero degrees in Chicago yesterday and I only heard the boiler make the noise once.  I’m guessing maybe it was in high fire given the cold temp.  So, maybe it is only happening in low fire.  
  • Kynes1000
    Kynes1000 Member Posts: 5

    just wanted to update that adjusting towards richer end fixed the harmonic noise. We ended up getting on the phone with triangle tube support as there were some more detailed/complicated adjustments that could be made (I don't understand all of it) and that did the trick. Thanks to everyone for the input and thoughtful answers!

    Derheatmeister
  • GGross
    GGross Member Posts: 548

    @Kynes1000

    Out of curiosity is this set up with LP or natural gas?

  • Kynes1000
    Kynes1000 Member Posts: 5
    Natural gas
  • Tim_D
    Tim_D Member Posts: 116
    Improper combustion set up, CSST gas piping and/or undersized gas piping can all cause unwanted harmonics.

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